Hello friends of Peace,
We’ve started Advent, the time Christians call the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Advent is a great time to prayerfully reflect on the coming of Jesus. We consider three comings at the same time:
His birth as a child to save us some 2,000 years ago
His coming to us now in Word and Sacrament to live in us and among us
His future return to restore all things
There are many good resources for your Advent meditation, both personal and family. I’ve included some of them and if you’d like more, please reach out to me. There are different ways to obtain each.
Martin Luther College (the WELS college of ministry) has prepared Advent devotions for us. Check out this link https://mlc-wels.edu/publications/advent-2023/ or get a paper copy at the next steps table.
WELS Daily devotions during Advent draw on Advent themes. Click this link https://wels.net/serving-you/devotions/, you can subscribe on the right side of the page
Advent wreath instructions for setting up your own Advent wreath and starting a devotion https://www.breadforbeggars.com/2019/11/diy-advent/. If you don’t have an Advent wreath, get one this year. Church will be glad to help you get a beautiful, simple Advent wreath for only $15. Email church@peaceotsego.org or call 269-694-6104
Couples devotion for Advent right here https://breadforbeggars.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Song-of-Songs-Advent-for-Couples.pdf
Advent music playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2M0SnW9zXQ5UCzZbmOhRky
Advent means “coming”; it also means "expectation". It helps us develop a joyful expectation of Christ’s return. This Advent as you meditate on God’s Word, may he match the expectations of your heart to his own so that his return is nothing but the greatest bliss, joy, pleasure, and satisfaction for you.
This Advent as you meditate on God’s Word, may he match the expectations of your heart to his own so that his return is nothing but the greatest bliss, joy, pleasure, and satisfaction for you.
If you don’t have an Advent wreath, get one this year. Church will be glad to help you get a beautiful, simple Advent wreath for only $15. Email church@peaceotsego.org or call 269-694-6104
Christmas 2023
It wouldn’t be too hard to make you happy - ice cream, a good drink, a night with people you love, and a bonus at work - that would cover it. Unless tragedy has struck your family, you’re in pain, and you can’t shake the sense that the world has changed. No amount of ice cream can fix that. That requires a fundamental reorientation of life. That requires good news.
Find great joy because of truly good news with us this Christmas.
Candlelight Christmas Eve services December 24th @ 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
All events on-site and online at https://peaceotsego.org/worship
Christmas Day service December 25th 9:30 am
Share your Christmas prayer requests and invite friends to know joy https://fb.me/e/2zAw7njcw
Watch for Christmas updates at
https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/christmas2023
Hometown Christmas
Otsego’s “Hometown Christmas” event will take place December 2nd.
We have 2 chances to participate: hot cocoa, parade security team.
Come on down and say hi!
Thanksgiving
We had a wonderful celebration thanking God for all his goodness, especially the spiritual work he has been up to. Here are a few things we’re especially thankful for:
Ron’s baptism
Clara’s profession
Ellise’s profession
Relatives of Tom & Nancy, as well as Mary getting baptized!
Tom’s “I love you”
helping Elizabeth read and hear the gospel for one of the first times
The apostle Paul reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances. Friends, let us remember that Jesus has even redeemed us from suffering, so that we can even give thanks when we suffer. Christians of all people should be thankful.
Keep sharing your reasons for thanks so we can be thankful with you!
Kids Christmas Service
The Children’s Christmas service will be on December 17th at 9:30 am.
The kids will practice together weekly on Sundays until the service! Special practice December 15th 5:00 p.m
Can’t wait to hear them!
You can find all the service info for the kids (readings, songs) at:
https://peaceotsego.org/peacenews/childrenschristmasservice2023
YouthCrew December - Concert!
The Youth Crew is celebrating Christmas together at a concert!
December 7th 6:00 p.m. we’ll gather at Corinth Reformed Church for a Christmas benefit concert.
The concert is free. All donations will go for the Scott family (part of the YouthCrew).
We’ll start the night with dinner and a meeting on the upcoming youth rally.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact your local leaders.
Take a Journey to Bethlehem
Sunday December 10th 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday December 10th join us at Peace to step into a new sense of Christmas. Walk through simple displays of 1st century life. Touch the world that Jesus felt.
Walk-through displays open at 11:00 a.m. Brunch is available for all at the end. Displays and lunch close at 1:00 p.m.
There is no cost for the event or food. Please bring a canned good to pay your “census tax” as you come in. Canned goods will be donated to Christian Neighbors.
Brunch is a potluck! Please bring something to share with others. We'll have some pancakes to share.
Love to see you for a new sense of Christmas this year!
Irv Bolenbaugh, surgery
Darlene Syers and family
Our sharing of the message of Christmas
Bill McNees
Christmas Decorating
The eager excitement of hearts should show up in magnificent, beautiful, overwhelming decoration for Chris’s birth - an appearance that humbles us and makes us bow.
You are welcome to join us Sunday after services to decorate our facility. Come declare God’s beauty!
December 3 Sunday 11:00 am. A light lunch will be available.
Ushers
Please reach out to the office (269-694-6104) or stop by the next steps table to sign up to usher in 2024.
December ushers are Pete Weyenberg and Ron Miller
Upcoming events (full calendar)
December 2nd 4:00 Hometown Christmas
December 3rd 10:45 a.m. Christmas decorating
December 5th 6:30 p.m. Team and Task Time
December 10th 11:00 a.m. Take a Journey to Bethlehem
December 13th 1:00 p.m. Ladies Christmas Party
December 17th 9:30 Children’s Christmas service
December 24th 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve services
December 25th 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day service
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Peace Lutheran Church
805 S Wilmott St
Otsego, MI 49078
269-694-6104
https://peaceotsego.org